Over 90% of the Bulgarians assessed their health as "good", "very good" and "excellent" and 50% think their health is nor compromised. The Philips study on health of Bulgarians gathered at a round table representatives of the company and leading experts in the field of health to discuss prevention and early diagnosis as means of improving people's health.
Royal Philips Electronics organized a round table and discussion about the results of a national study on the health status of Bulgarians. Data from the national survey shows thatonly 18.8 % of participants believe they are at risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, while onlu 1.3 % consider themselves ar risk of cancer over the next 5 years. At the same time recent statistics indicate that the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases in the country exceeds 51%, and form cancer - 28%.
In Parallel with these results, th estudy of Philips shows that 19.5 % of Bulgarians are worried about worsening vision and 16.9 % are afraid of problems with the musculoskeletal system. Overall, over 50% of survey respondents believe that their health is not compromised.
In the field of diagnosis and treatment over 53% of respondents believe that medical equipment in Bulgaria is not enough and more than 45% believe that technology in medicine will allow them to live longer.
At the Round table were discussed global challenges in healthcare and has been expressed a commitment by Philips to create conditions for sustainable development in health care and living standards.
"There is a need a new social system to be developed that encourages proactive approach to prevention and early diagnosis, and the transition from hospital to health care directed at patients themselves. Starting point in health care is a thorough understanding of the needs of people and this is why Philips launched a Health Examination Survey in Bulgaria, "said Ms. Radmila Fileva, CEO of Philips Bulgaria.
Mr Robin Armstrong, Regional General Manager - Phillips Southeastern Europe and Caucasus region, Sector Health Care, presented the vision of Philips' health care: a closed cycle in which they are based on the needs of patients and hospitals. "Only after identifying the needs of patients the hospitals will be able to take decisions that meet their expectations. Philips' approach in the field of health care includes a comprehensive method of prevention, screening, early diagnosis, treatment, management, monitoring and ending again with prevention. This approach achieves both an improve of the quality of health care and and a reduce of healthcare costs. And this is possible to accomplish, thanks to significant innovations that create added value for both patients and the people who care about their health", said Mr. Armstrong.
Mr. Peter Blazhevats, Corporate Communications Director, outlined several global trends in health care. The aging population in the world is developing at a rate as has not been seen until now. If in 2000, the number of people aged over 60 was 600 million, in 2006, this figure exceeds 700 million but by 2050 their number is expected to triple and to reach an impressive 2 billion people aged over 60. It has been projected that by 2050 50% of people in developed countries will suffer from chronic diseases. Mr. Blazhevats stressed that strengthening the public interest in health issues is crucial. "We understand that today health care must go beyond single treatment and traditional methods of patient care. That is why our solutions cover as hospital and as outside hospital treatment, paying attention to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring", he concluded.
"The investment in prevention should be as broad as that of the treatment. Health education and culture of the population are particularly important because the number of people with chronic illnesses grows. By helping people understand the consequences of their lifestyles, we can improve their health and reduce risks of diseases", said Prof. Emilia Hristova, National Consultant, Chairman of the Association of Bulgarian neonatologists.